September 26, 2024
ROME, Ga. — Georgia Baptists responded enthusiastically to this years’ SPARK church-strengthening conferences, with more than 800 people attending the final event at West Rome Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 22.
Dr. Thom Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers, an online resource platform for church leaders, was the keynote speaker and participants could choose from more than 30 breakout sessions to attend on topics such as discipleship, evangelism, next gen and children’s ministry, pastor wellness and more.
With that attendance, the total impact of this year’s six SPARK conferences was more than 3750 people and 385 churches. And the impact doesn’t end there, says Scott Sullivan, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board's discipleship catalyst. “We expect that at least that many will also engage with the digital vault which will be sent out to all that registered soon.” The SPARK Vault is an online portal where recorded sessions are archived. Participants have free access to the vault, but anyone can purchase on-demand access.
Sullivan adds that “the strategy of taking quality lay leader training to regional conferences across Georgia has been well received. SPARK is a great example of what is possible when the local church, associations, and the state convention work together. We truly are better together!”
The number of 2024 attendees represents growth of more than 150% from 2023, when some 2,400 attendees participated in the conferences. “The SPARK leadership team, made up leaders from the local church, the association and GBMB far exceeded every goal we set for 2024,” says Sullivan. “We have already begun preparations for 2025 and no doubt momentum is building each year.”
W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., the board’s executive director, said “Georgia Baptists showed up in force to receive training and encouragement to strengthen their churches and ministries. I’m encouraged to see their excitement to be equipped to continue the mission of reaching Georgia with the good news of Jesus Christ. And I am prayerfully anticipating an even greater response in 2025.”
Sullivan notes that “not only is energy growing among our churches and associations, but the excitement within those of us who serve at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board is obvious and contagious.” And that excitement starts at the top, he says. “I can’t say enough about the effective leadership of Thomas Hammond and Mark Marshall as they guide our team with vision and give us the freedom to think beyond borders.”
Locations and dates have already been selected for the 2025 SPARK conferences:
